How do you write a bouncy party-type Christmas song when there has been so much recent turmoil in the world? How can you expect people to be happy during the festive season when they’ve experienced tragedy and sadness?

The answer for Andrew Williams of Velinski in late 2017 was simple - you can’t. But rather than compose a sad song, he decided to write something positive to help victims feel they are being remembered when most people are celebrating.

Now the Essex-based duo have released Xmas Is For Everyone and hope the song's touching message will send it soaring up the charts.

Why is the message so important ?

Andrew said: "When you’re enjoying the festive season, it’s easy to forget those less fortunate than you who feel forgotten, lonely or just unable to raise their own spirits for their personal reasons- tragedy, illness,loss etc. The most important line in the song is 'Everybody Needs Some Love And Understanding' and that’s particularly true at Christmas.

"I was interviewed just last week by a station presenter in Manchester. He said that the song and video really did make him think again about what Christmas means. What strikes him about the song is the positive way the message is put over with the uplifting melody and traditional type of arrangement.

"We’ve also been asked by some charities if they can provide links to the video on their sites during their Christmas campaigns because of the message and the way it is put over."

A still from the Xmas Is For Everyone video

What are your chart ambitions ?

Andrew said: "We’ve got a lot of local radio and internet stations playing the song which is great. We were on Radio 2’s shortlist for their current playlist but got pipped by the cover version of a Chris DeBurgh old song. We’re naturally very disappointed that we couldn’t manage to get nationwide radio support as our message is important and relevant plus we like to believe that the song is enjoyable.

"The other major nationals follow Radio 2 so our best chance to spread the word extensively is if the public stream and download the song so much that maybe the nationals will take notice and give us airplay before Christmas.

"If we can get into the charts we’d be thrilled but it’s really up to the public to show the main radio stations what they want to hear instead of being told what they want to hear. Another national station have told us they only play well known Christmas songs so if we’re well known maybe they’ll play us."

Velinski hope their touching message will resonate with music fans this Christmas

So how did Velinski come up with the idea?

Andrew said: “In that year ordinary and innocent people of all ages, origin and religions were killed for being near a major British tourist attraction, or enjoying a simple Saturday night out, or attending a pop concert, or congregating outside their place of worship or even just being at home in their block of flats.

"How will the survivors and others affected by these terrible events feel when there is so much happiness and celebration going on over Christmas and the festive season? We must do our best to ensure that they don’t feel forgotten".

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How do they think people will react to it?

Andrew said: "We don’t want to dampen peoples’ spirits. We can all enjoy the holiday period, that’s what Christmas represents whatever your religion or beliefs. Good will to all mankind – why not? That must however also include the unfortunate people in our world and in particular, as the song says, those whose lives have changed for ever more.

"There are always going to be victims of some sort and those much more unfortunate than the majority. As Luciano Pavarotti said in Sarajevo 'We must remember we are happy and we must share our happiness with people who are sad'".

Velinski believe everybody needs some love and understanding

When did Velinski form?

Andrew and his partner Adam McEvoy met at a music studio near Romford a few years ago.

Adam said: "Andrew came in wanting to record a few songs. I liked them and so offered to produce his demos".

They got on well and decided to collaborate on future projects with guest vocalists as Velinski.

"The name comes from my paternal family who had to flee persecution from Eastern Europe in the early 20th Century" Andrew said, "just like Fiddler on the Roof ".

They enlisted the services of vocalist Clifton Elroy for this and a few of their other songs.

"Clifton has a really great voice and has previously featured on the X Factor," Adam said. "We knew he would ideal for this song - even though he had a cold when he recorded the vocals ".

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How can I buy Xmas Is For Everyone?

The track will be appearing on a compilation CD - backed by television advertising - through the Grammy award-winning label BongoBoy records. The charming supporting video will be rotating on music TV channels throughout this month.